With two performance reviews, three strategic periods, and two replenishments, the GCF is arguably reaching maturity as an institution. There is also a corresponding proliferation of research focusing on the GCF. However, there remains an untapped opportunity to promote an exchange among and between researchers on the one hand, and strategic and evaluative work within the GCF on the other.

The Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU) is convening a workshop to promote an exchange between science and policy, with a focus on climate finance and the GCF. The workshop aims to facilitate a dialogue between researchers and thought leaders on multilateral climate finance and the GCF Independent Evaluation Unit, along with its colleagues in the GCF Secretariat.

The objectives of this dialogue are to:

• Understand the perspectives of the research community on GCF and climate finance, in particular on the challenges identified in the SPR and the opportunities for enhancing GCF impact under the Strategic Plan for GCF-2.

• Inform mutually beneficial research and evaluation directions for climate finance researchers and the IEU to enhance insight and inform GCF operational and strategic performance. 

• Identify opportunities for the GCF and IEU to engage with a broader research community of practice on issues related to the GCF and climate finance more broadly.

Climate Finance Workshop

Date & Time: 9 November 9:00 am - 10 November 4:30 pm (Songdo)
Format: Hybrid

Description:
This workshop will be fully in-person with a mixture of short presentations by the GCF IEU and expert participants, along with group discussions. 

Workshop sessions will be centered around the following three overarching thematic pillars and questions:

1. Challenges and Opportunities for the GCF. In the context of the SPR findings and the direction the GCF is headed under the GCF-2 strategic plan, what can your research tell us about challenges and opportunities for the GCF?
2. Emerging Research and the IEU. Based on your research, what do you think the IEU should be looking at from an evaluative perspective? What future research are you considering on climate finance that could help inform future evaluations?
3. Bridging between IEU and the Research Community. What are some opportunities to build a more open avenue, or even a community of practice, between IEU and the research community on the GCF and climate finance more generally?